France travel guide.
Living in Barcelona and having access to a car during summer makes going around Spain and Europe more convenient. We decided to embark on a road trip to Southern France to put into use my French and explore the lavender fields, though we realized that it was off season for the flowers to be in full bloom. It’s best to visit in summer, preferably in August. After a two-hour drive, we arrived at the beautiful coastal city of Perpignan, the first big city along the border. We stopped for a delicious croissant before heading to our next destination, Montpellier, where we had lunch before continuing to our first accommodation in Avignon – a stunning city known as “La ville des papes.” The old town boasts charming terraces and an enchanting atmosphere.
During our week-long trip, we ventured on various day trips and switched to a seaside Airbnb in Six fours les Plages.
Our itinerary included visits to:
- Avignon
- Saint Remy de Provence
- Les beaux de Provences
- La Coste
- Roussillon
- Gordes
- Aix en Provence
- Six Fours les Plages
- La Ciotat
Here is a little Travel guide and highlights from Each Town / City stop we did:
Avignon:
The highlight of the city is the Palais des Papes, a grand Gothic palace built in the 14th century, which serves as a museum displaying various artworks and historical collections. Another major attraction in Avignon is the Pont Saint-Bénezet, this bridge was initially built in the early 12th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, and offers breathtaking views of the Rhône River. Avignon also boasts several churches, including the Notre-Dame-des-Doms, a cathedral located on the grounds of the Palais des Papes. You can explore the bustling marketplaces and squares, shop at local boutiques, and indulge in the city’s delicious cuisine in the “air libre”
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
A charming French town located in the heart of the Alpilles mountains. One of the main attractions is the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery, where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last year and produced over 150 paintings.
there a worth visiting popular Wednesday morning market with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local crafts.
Les beaux de Provence:
Beaux de Provence is worth visiting, in the middle of the mountains, there is a castle with rich history of the region, the reason why we decided to visit this town is because of Carriers Les Lumieres this art installation in the middle of ruins is definitely worth seeing for its unique and immersive experience that shows showcases the artwork of famous painters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Klimt, through state-of-the-art technology. The show is displayed on the ruins walls from the floor to the ceiling, alongside a wonderful soundtrack. you can be completely in the art and we felt like we were part of it. This magnificent display is not just an exhibition but something to be experienced and highly recommended to anyone who loves art. to learn more about this here is their official link http://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/
La Coste:
La Coste is a charming village located in the heart of Provence, in the South of France. Known for its picturesque landscapes, olive groves, and vineyards, we loved the narrow alleys,the typical houses made of stone, and quiet atmosphere, you would feel like time has stopped here a long time ago, if you are looking to immerse yourselves in the authentic Provencal way of life this is a must afternoon stop.
Roussillon:
In one if our day trips we have stopped by Roussillon, known for its vibrant ochre cliffs and red-roofed houses, for me this was Marrakesh of France.
The village has a rich history with an extensive mining heritage. You can still see the old ochre quarries that are now a popular tourist attraction. You can see how Rousillon is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including the Luberon Mountains.
we have stopped for a stroll around the village and walked to the charming squares where we enjoyed coffee and ice cream.
Gordes:
This is town was like out of a movie, just magical. The town is situated on a hill with the most beautiful landscape, with views and stone houses where we were able to admire the 11th-century castle, and explore the art galleries and boutique shops.
The town also has a rich history and culture, with several museums and galleries to explore.
For me this one of the most romantic gateways destinations in France so far.
Aix en Provence:
If I had to choose a city to move to in France, that would be it!
I must say, this is charming City.
The quaint town in Provence boasts of scenic streets lined with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. What I loved most about this town was its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
my highlight was the welcoming and warm locals and the boutiques as a fashion enthusiast, this was a beautiful discovery, also seeing the locals and their personal style was beautiful.
Six Fours les Plages:
We headed to six fours les plages because it was a great destination to disconnect and relax while being close to the sea.
this is a good location to do day trips from to the different coastal towns of Marseille and to the French Riviera.
I particularly enjoyed strolling along the waterfront and sunset aperos by the sea.
La Ciotat:
A surprising charming coastal town with a instagrammable streets of the old town and harbour.
Located between Marseille and Toulon, la Ciotat is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, with the Calanques National Park, one of them you can see in the photo here, the water is so clear and you have multiple small beaches like this alongside the coast line of the city
More photos I have taken during the trip to capture the beauty of this region and it’s hidden spots.
